In this book, Dr. Geisler fought battles for the orthodox doctrine of the resurrection and corrected the unorthodox views of other evangelical seminary professors. The book that started the controversy was Murray Harris’s book Raised Immortal (1985). Norman Geisler wrote The Battle for the Resurrection (1989) in response to Harris’ book. Harris responded with another book From Grave to Glory (1990). In 1993, Geisler published In Defense of the Resurrection as a response to Harris.
The first edition of this book was published by Quest Publications in 1991. The second edition was revised and republished in 1993 by Witness Inc (Clayton, CA) is available as a digitized book at Logos.com. This third edition is being published as an e-book by Bastion Books in 2015 with slight revisions in the way the citations are made and a new epilogue added by Dr. Geisler in 2015.
Contents
Abbreviations Used. 6
Foreword. 7
Introduction. 12
1 | Behind Closed Doors 14
2 | The Heart of the Issue. 27
3 | From the Horse’s Mouth. 38
4 | A Word of Praise. 44
5 | Trivial Pursuit 57
6 | Come Let Us Reason. 65
7 | Don’t Read the Labels 78
8 | What Saith the Scriptures?. 88
9 | None Dare Call it Heresy. 99
Epilogue. 110
Appendix 1 | Letter of Resignation. 116
Appendix 2 | A Book Review of Battle for the Resurrection. 119
Appendix 3 | Misrepresentations of Other Major Scholars 124
Appendix 4 | Erickson’s Erroneous Views on the Resurrection. 132
Appendix 5 | On Press Release of Trinity’s Troika. 135
The Battle for the Resurrection, Revised, Third Edition by Dr. Norman Geisler 2013
This book is available as a softcover book here:
This 242 page book is a slight revision of the book originally published in 1992. The second edition of this book is available in softcover printed edition at https://wipfandstock.com/the-battle-for-the-resurrection.html and in the Logos electronic-book format at https://www.logos.com/product/9148/the-battle-for-resurrection.
Overview First it was the battle for the Bible; now it is the battle for the resurrection. First the question was whether we can trust what the Bible says about itself; now the question is whether we can trust what the Bible says about the resurrection. First it was whether inspiration covered only spiritual matters but not historical and scientific statements. Now it is whether the resurrection body is only spiritual or whether it is material, and historically and empirically observable. Geisler’s powerful book on the resurrection defends and explains this central doctrine in light of recent debate, controversy, and skepticism. Dr. Geisler fought battles for the orthodox doctrine of the resurrection and corrected the unorthodox views of other evangelical seminary professors. The book that started the controversy was Murray Harris’ Raised Immortal (1985). Norman Geisler wrote The Battle for the Resurrection (1989) in response to Harris’ book. Harris responded with another book From Grave to Glory (1990). In 1993, Geisler published In Defense of the Resurrection as a response to Harris.
Praise for the Print Edition
Since the belief in a purely spiritual resurrection of Christ is prevalent in many cults, those involved in countering the rise and growth of cults would benefit greatly from reading this book. —Walter Martin, author of The Kingdom of the Cults
Dr. Geisler’s book is effectively designed as [an] antidote to the misery of turning Christ’s factual resurrection into an event outside the bounds of ordinary history. —Dr. John Warwick Montgomery, author of History and Christianity
Geisler demonstrates not only the danger in the theology of various cults but also the tendency to discount the bodily resurrection of the Lord, even among evangelicals. It is essential reading for every pastor and student. —Dr. Paige Patterson, author of Song of Solomon
The proclamation that Jesus was raised in the same physical body in which he died is just as important today as it was in the first century. The book signals such a call to the importance of this doctrine. —Dr. Gary Habermas, Distinguished Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy, Liberty University
===CONTENTS===
Dedication 4
Foreword by Dr. Robert D. Culver 6
Introduction 12
1 | The Battle for the Resurrection 14
2 | It Makes a Difference 22
3 | The Bible on the Resurrection 30
4 | I Believe in the Resurrection of the Flesh 40
5 | Denials of the Physical Resurrection 54
6 | Denials of the Physical Resurrection in the Church 73
7 | Physical Resurrection vs. Immaterial Resurrection 94
8 | Evidence for the Physical Resurrection 113
9 | Lessons to be Learned 125
10 | Drawing the Line 140
11 | A Response to Murray Harris 154
APPENDIX A | Does the Resurrection Body Have the Same articles? 180
APPENDIX B | Resurrection Appearances Were Not Theophanies 182
APPENDIX C | Christ’s Deity and Humanity Before and After the Resurrection 185
APPENDIX D | Physical Continuity of Christ Human Body Before and After the Resurrection 186
APPENDIX E | The Old Testament Jewish View of Resurrection 190
APPENDIX F | When Do Believers Receive Their Resurrection Bodies? 193
APPENDIX G | Was Jesus’ Resurrected Body Essentially MATERIAL? 197
APPENDIX H | A Survey on the Resurrection 201
APPENDIX I | Report of the AD HOC Committee to Examine the Views of Dr. Murray J. Harris 203
Notes 215
A Glossary of Important Terms 239
Select Bibliography 240
More Information 242
A Bastion of Conservative Evangelical Christian Thought